Athens Hadrian Library

Location: Monastiraki

The Library of Hadrian in Athens, Attica: The Library of Hadrian was an impressive monument in ancient Athens but now few remains have survived. It is located outside the metro station of Monastiraki and on the northern side of the Acropolis of Athens. This library was constructed by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in 132 A.D. and the building followed a typical Roman Forum architectural style.

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It had only one entrance, a high surrounding wall at its long sides and an inner courtyard with a central pool and garden surrounded by marble columns. At the eastern end of the collonade, there were a series of rooms that constituted the actual library, where papyrus books were stored. These rooms also served as lecture halls and reading rooms.

The library was seriously damaged during the Herulian invasion of 267 A.D. and was repaired in 407-412 A.D. In the Byzantine times, three Christian churches were built at that site, whose remains have partly survived.

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How to get there

There are many ways to reach the Library of Hadrian, from any location in Athens.

Private transfers: We recommend using an online pre-booked Athens transfer service, which provides transfer by taxi, minibus or private VIP car and arranging a pickup directly from the port, airport or your hotel. Alternatively, there’s the option of arranging a pickup by a local driver directly at the following numbers: 0030 693 881 8288, 0030 694 597 2090, 0030 690 943 9292 or book your taxi online.

On foot: As the Library of Hadrian is located in a central area of Athens, it can be easily reached on foot from Syntagma, in less than 15 minutes.

By metro: The closest metro station is “Monastiraki” on lines 1 and 3. Get a map of the metro here.

By bus/trolleybus: The closest bus stop is “Monastiraki”. Note that the Library of Hadrian is located within a 3-minute walking distance from the bus stop. Check the routes and the official timetables on OASA Telematics.